With contributions from internationally recognized experts, Food Safety of Proteins in Agricultural Biotechnology comprehensively addresses how toxicology testing of proteins should be accomplished and how protein safety assessments should be carried out. Beginning with a background on protein biology, the book delineates the fundamental difference

Genetic-based animal biotechnology has produced new food and pharmaceutical products and promises many more advances to benefit humankind. These exciting prospects are accompanied by considerable unease, however, about matters such as safety and ethics. This book identifies science-based and policy-related concerns about animal biotechnologyâ€"key issues that must be resolved before the new breakthroughs can reach their potential. The book includes a short history of the field and provides understandable definitions of terms like cloning. Looking at technologies on the near horizon, the authors discuss what we know and what we fear about their effectsâ€"the inadvertent release of dangerous microorganisms, the safety of products derived from biotechnology, the impact of genetically engineered animals on their environment. In addition to these concerns, the book explores animal welfare concerns, and our societal and institutional capacity to manage and regulate the technology and its products. This accessible volume will be important to everyone interested in the implications of the use of animal biotechnology.

Genetically engineered (GE) crops were first introduced commercially in the 1990s. After two decades of production, some groups and individuals remain critical of the technology based on their concerns about possible adverse effects on human health, the environment, and ethical considerations. At the same time, others are concerned that the technology is not reaching its potential to improve human health and the environment because of stringent regulations and reduced public funding to develop products offering more benefits to society. While the debate about these and other questions related to the genetic engineering techniques of the first 20 years goes on, emerging genetic-engineering technologies are adding new complexities to the conversation. Genetically Engineered Crops builds on previous related Academies reports published between 1987 and 2010 by undertaking a retrospective examination of the purported positive and adverse effects of GE crops and to anticipate what emerging genetic-engineering technologies hold for the future. This report indicates where there are uncertainties about the economic, agronomic, health, safety, or other impacts of GE crops and food, and makes recommendations to fill gaps in safety assessments, increase regulatory clarity, and improve innovations in and access to GE technology.

Presents the conclusions of an international group of experts convened by FAO and WHO to consider strategies and procedures for assessing the safety of food produced by biotechnology. The Consultation reviewed the current and potential applications of biotechnology to food production and formulated a number of recommendations; for example, it considered that, from the point of view of safety, there was no fundamental difference between traditional products and contemporary ones obtained by means of biotechnology, and that any safety assessment should be based on the molecular, biological, and chemical characteristics of the material to be assessed.

In the last decade, there has been substantial research dedicated towards prospecting physiochemical, nutritional and health properties of novel protein sources. In addition to being driven by predictions of increased population and lack of a parallel increase in traditional protein sources, main drivers for the rise in novel proteins/ novel foods research activities is linked to significant changes in young consumers’ attitudes toward red meat consumption and their interest in new alternative protein products. Alternative Proteins: Safety and Food Security Considerations presents up-to-date information on alternative proteins from non-meat sources and examines their nutritional and functional roles as food sources and ingredients. Emphasis is placed on the safety of these novel proteins and an evaluation of their potential contribution to food security. Motivations for novel proteins and restrictions for their use are also discussed. Key Features: Explains potential improvements to alternative proteins through the employment of novel processing techniques. Contains the first review on keratin as an alternative protein source. Explores first comprehensive evaluation of the religious aspects of novel proteins. Describes methods for the detection and evaluation of health hazards. Discusses guidelines, regulatory issues and recommendations for food safety Additionally, this book covers fundamental and recent developments in the production of alternative proteins, and examines safety and consumer acceptability wherever information is available. The sources and processing options for alternative proteins and their impact on final product characteristics are also covered. A collective contribution from international researchers who are active in their field of research and have made significant contributions to the the food sciences, this book is beneficial to any researcher interested in the the food science and safety of alternative proteins.

Transgenic crops offer the promise of increased agricultural productivity and better quality foods. But they also raise the specter of harmful environmental effects. In this new book, a panel of experts examines: • Similarities and differences between crops developed by conventional and transgenic methods • Potential for commercialized transgenic crops to change both agricultural and nonagricultural landscapes • How well the U.S. government is regulating transgenic crops to avoid any negative effects. Environmental Effects of Transgenic Plants provides a wealth of information about transgenic processes, previous experience with the introduction of novel crops, principles of risk assessment and management, the science behind current regulatory schemes, issues in monitoring transgenic products already on the market, and more. The book discusses public involvementâ€"and public confidenceâ€"in biotechnology regulation. And it looks to the future, exploring the potential of genetic engineering and the prospects for environmental effects.

Describes the economic, scientific, and social factors that will influence the future of biotechnology in agriculture. Shows that both private and public sector R&D are contributing significantly to the development of biotechnologies. A review of 23 published studies on the subject.